James McCarthy M free agent b.1990

[BonnieShels]

i think it'd be quite nice to beat scotland.

fixed!

[Closed Account]

Is it just me that wants to see TOWK v DannyI in a boxing match at half time v USA with POSH as referre(how else would we know what really happened unless he was there). Amazeballs

[Crosby87]

Who would be the ref, Dick Towell?

http://funnystack.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Funny-Boxing-2.jpeg

[tricky_colour]

As long as tricky doesn't put 10p on it then it's a good bet.


Could be a good bet, I note McCarthy is riding high in the stats charts,

http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/4311/Stages/9155/PlayerStatistics/England-Premier-League-2014-2015
So he is the 27th best player in the Premiership. Also note worthy is Richard Dunne who is just 100 places behind him at #127

[Closed Account]

Could be a good bet, I note McCarthy is riding high in the stats charts,

http://www.whoscored.com/Regions/252/Tournaments/2/Seasons/4311/Stages/9155/PlayerStatistics/England-Premier-League-2014-2015
So he is the 27th best player in the Premiership. Also note worthy is Richard Dunne who is just 100 places behind him at #127

Just get out....

Tets can we get a week long ban for tricky too?

[tetsujin1979]

from what I've seen lately, tricky's been picked on as much as he's raised a few heckles

I'm running the "tricky's random bets" joke into the ground. TC, knock the random bet quotes on the head. Everyone else, stop mentioning tricky's random bets.

[osarusan]

10p says nobody stops.

[Closed Account]

from what I've seen lately, tricky's been picked on as much as he's raised a few heckles

I'm running the "tricky's random bets" joke into the ground. TC, knock the random bet quotes on the head. Everyone else, stop mentioning tricky's random bets.
Tets moustache is beginning to look more "Adolf" than Charlie*. Boo-urns

* i meán chaplin, not Darwin who is evolutionarly hilarious.

[BonnieShels]

from what I've seen lately, tricky's been picked on as much as he's raised a few heckles

I'm running the "tricky's random bets" joke into the ground. TC, knock the random bet quotes on the head. Everyone else, stop mentioning tricky's random bets.

That's like saying we can't talk about Termonbarry, umbrellas, mypost, rockets, no direct buses, skud missile, walls, cockroaches, asterix-ing a club in North Wicklow's name, calling Shams- Rovers to annoy Sligo fans, talking about biscuit tins and Ollie, Bohs and the double-sale, Derry and the double-accounts, appending 2010 to Derry City, calling it the Flansiro, appending 2010 to Cork City, Roddy never getting relegated, Cork's incredible free-kick record in 2014 ... all the things that make foot.ie the best darn corner of the internet in which to talk about football.

[gastric]

That's like saying we can't talk about Termonbarry, umbrellas, mypost, rockets, no direct buses, skud missile, walls, cockroaches, asterix-ing a club in North Wicklow's name, calling Shams- Rovers to annoy Sligo fans, talking about biscuit tins and Ollie, Bohs and the double-sale, Derry and the double-accounts, appending 2010 to Derry City, calling it the Flansiro, appending 2010 to Cork City, Roddy never getting relegated, Cork's incredible free-kick record in 2014 ... all the things that make foot.ie the best darn corner of the internet in which to talk about football.

Wasn't Bray Wanderers banned too? I'm sure you missed that Bonnie! And what's wrong with discussing umbrellas unless your name is Georgi Markov?

[tricky_colour]

Anyway, Everton assessing him tomorrow, Martinez hopeful it's fatigue rather than a tear of some kind. Just like he said last month!

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/marc-wilson-and-james-mccarthy-in-doubt-for-ireland-s-trip-to-play-scotland-1.1994055

Would "tired of thinking of excuses" qualify as fatigue?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I'm not looking for pity and i am not playing the victim, Danny. You have insulted me in several posts, you are constantly attacking my opinions, you keep making accusations about my motivations for posting and it's devaluing everything else you have to say. Was that polite enough? You can argue points without belittling someone and throwing your toys out of the pram.

Anymore, when it concerns contentious issues, i'm not going to bother dignifying your posts with a response and hopefully you'll do the same, because i imagine it is as frustrating for everyone else as it is for us. It's an exorcise in sadomasochism trying to reason with you!

[DannyInvincible]

I'm not looking for pity and i am not playing the victim, Danny. You have insulted me in several posts, you are constantly attacking my opinions, you keep making accusations about my motivations for posting and it's devaluing everything else you have to say. Was that polite enough? You can argue points without belittling someone and throwing your toys out of the pram.

Anymore, when it concerns contentious issues, i'm not going to bother dignifying your posts with a response and hopefully you'll do the same, because i imagine it is as frustrating for everyone else as it is for us. It's an exorcise in sadomasochism trying to reason with you!

I don't know what exorcism has to do with it, but it's a start at least that you acknowledge taking some of your pleasure from the infliction of pain upon others... You do know what sadomasochism is, right? Otherwise, fair enough. Do what you must.

It's not any lack of politeness that grates with me, though, and you know that rightly. Even now you're disingenuously playing dumb to it by asking if you're being polite enough, as if that was ever an issue.

[BonnieShels]

Wasn't Bray Wanderers banned too? I'm sure you missed that Bonnie! And what's wrong with discussing umbrellas unless your name is Georgi Markov?

Club in North Wicklow buddy boy!

[DannyInvincible]

AC Milan (and Inter, it seems) interested in McCarthy, according to the Daily Star: http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2014/11/10/7187095/ac-milan-interested-in-everton-midfielder-james-mccarthy


It’s been a busy day for Everton’s transfer rumours, especially considering the transfer window is more than a month and a half away.

The Daily Star have unfortunately reported that AC Milan are interested in James McCarthy.

The British-based red top go so far as to say that McCarthy’s representatives were in Italy last week to talk to both Milan clubs – sounds a lot like ‘paper talk’ in my opinion.

The AC Milan boss has been described as a ‘huge admirer’ of the 23 year-old but has also been linked with Real Madrid’s Asier Illaramendi.

Manchester United are said to interested as well, although there is a potential new contract at Everton possibly on the table, so perhaps these are no more than agent rumours drip-fed to the media to ensure he gets as good an offer from Everton as is possible.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I don't where Man Utd would find a place for McCarthy in the system Van Gaal is going with, they have plenty of central midfield options as it stands. Unless McCarthy has a shadow career as a central defender.

[Charlie Darwin]

Not sure Inter or Milan could afford the transfer fee, although he would be on the lower level of pay that they can compete with.

[DannyInvincible]

TOWK; I went and dug up a comment by Martinez on the "international alliegiance issue" and this is what he had said in 2010: http://greenscene.me/2011/01/trapattoni-and-mccarthy-in-quotes/


I spoke to James and told him he should not listen to anybody. You need to listen to your feeling about where you want to be playing. I know that in Scotland they made a huge meal out of it and they let him know how they felt and probably that could make a bearing on his decision. It is important for any player as representing your country is probably where you are going to be achieving your biggest memories of your career going into World Cups or European Championships. But I have said to James he needs to make his own decision. The moment you allow people to influence your decision, you are going to make a wrong decision. He is playing for the Under-21s for Republic of Ireland and he has a clear idea of that at the moment. He has played in Scotland for many years, so he understands the football feeling around that country, so I am sure James will come up with the right decision. I think he should not listen to anyone; maybe his mum and maybe his environment. But I know that in Scotland they made a huge meal out of it and they let him know how they felt when he chose Republic of Ireland and probably that could make a bearing on his decision. But James is a very mature boy. He is an impressive character and, if he listens to his feeling, he will make the right decision.

What's your issue with that exactly? I don't sense any pressure in that either way. He was clearly asked about the possibility of James playing for either Scotland or Ireland at senior level and gave a fairly balanced and diplomatic answer, despite acknowledging James' "clear idea" with Ireland. If you think there was pro-SFA persuasion going on there, you're being paranoid. Martinez advised James to ignore the media; to make his own decision and not listen to anybody else besides maybe his family and those close to him. It's a fairly neutral admission that it's not something Martinez should have any say in. In fact, he even states that "a meal" was made of the issue in Scotland. Such terminology is invariably used in a negatively critical sense, as far as I'm concerned. The main concern of Martinez - it is obvious - was the possible distraction of the matter to James' club career rather than the specific possibility of him playing for Ireland.

[Stuttgart88]

So, no Twitter action from the Irish hacks on who did what in training today, who played, who sat it out, who got a scan etc?

[tetsujin1979]

So, no Twitter action from the Irish hacks on who did what in training today, who played, who sat it out, who got a scan etc?Just a snap of training, which Ward, Whelan and McCarthy sat out: https://twitter.com/FM104/status/532131253034971136

I'm pretty sure seeing new posts in this thread between now and Friday will give me a coronary every single time!

[Charlie Darwin]

So, no Twitter action from the Irish hacks on who did what in training today, who played, who sat it out, who got a scan etc?
They're too busy dissecting the latest futile statement from our superiors at YBIG.

McCarthy and Ward sat out training, if you're asking seriously.

[Stuttgart88]

Yes I was. Is sitting out training a good thing, ie, better than flying home?

[Duggie]

Yes I was. Is sitting out training a good thing, ie, better than flying home?

well if he was defo out i think we would know at this stage. hopefully a couple of days rest might do the trick. would have to train thursday i'd imagine if he is to start.

[Charlie Darwin]

Probably a good sign from our point of view. Anything that keeps him in camp with us and away from Martinez's Motherwell fake injury dungeon is a positive.

[DeLorean]

Meanwhile, McCarthy continues to be be assessed after reporting for international duty. The Everton midfielder complained of a tight hamstring following his club's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw at Sunderland on Sunday. He and full-back Stephen Ward headed for the gym as their team-mates warmed up at Gannon Park in Malahide, including midfielder Glenn Whelan, who has made a rapid recovery since fracturing a bone in his leg during last month's draw in Germany.

And Pat Nevin's take on the whole thing (http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/european-championship/2014/1111/658463-nevin-plays-down-mcgeady-and-mccarthy-factor/)

[geysir]

My guess is that McCarthy will be deemed fit to play. Martinez's concerns (warning shots across the bow) are that we don't play him should he be deemed a risk.

[Charlie Darwin]

My guess is that McCarthy will be deemed fit to play. Martinez's concerns (warning shots across the bow) are that we don't play him should he be deemed a risk.
Any time he's asked to comment about Gibson's progress he makes sure to mention "the injury he sustained playing for the Republic of Ireland". He clearly doesn't like players going on international duty, albeit in that case he has a reason.

[DeLorean]

I suppose it's probably a pretty vivid memory seeing as he made the trip over for the game and accompanied Gibson in the medical room.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I don't know what exorcism has to do with it, but it's a start at least that you acknowledge taking some of your pleasure from the infliction of pain upon others... You do know what sadomasochism is, right? Otherwise, fair enough. Do what you must.

It's not any lack of politeness that grates with me, though, and you know that rightly. Even now you're disingenuously playing dumb to it by asking if you're being polite enough, as if that was ever an issue.

You know fully well I had a problem with your belligerent attitude, childish use of expletives and insulting comments in several posts which I referred to several times. Ironic for someone accusing me of playing dumb.

And I qualified what I said about Roberto Martinez with "maybe I was being paranoid", in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent you from derailing the thread by making it your mission to nitpick and over-analyse every little thing I say, but you still did it anyway!

Edit: I'm sorry. I won't broach the subject again. From now on, I will restrict this quibble to PM's.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I am very concerned about the fact that Whelan may play a part in this game. In a high tempo game like this, you need athletic and mobile players, which Whelan is not - much less a not fully fit Whelan.

There are several reasons why this is potentially a bad idea.

No. 1 - What if he has to be substituted after 15 minutes and we waste an early substitution because he rushed himself back.

We have decent alternatives; especially if McCarthy is fit. Rushing Whelan back is not necessary. Gibson &/or Hendrick have earned this opportunity.

[mark12345]

I am very concerned about the fact that Whelan may play a part in this game. In a high tempo game like this, you need athletic and mobile players, which Whelan is not - much less a not fully fit Whelan.

There are several reasons why this is potentially a bad idea.

No. 1 - What if he has to be substituted after 15 minutes and we waste an early substitution because he rushed himself back.

We have decent alternatives; especially if McCarthy is fit. Rushing Whelan back is not necessary. Gibson &/or Hendrick have earned this opportunity.

I agree 100 per cent. Whelan is not near international standard, let alone a less than match fit Whelan.

[Stuttgart88]

YAnd I qualified what I said about Roberto Martinez with "maybe I was being paranoid".i thought you took offence to me labeling you paranoid even when I laced it with self-deprecation, referring to myself as being paranoid too, just less so than you.

[BonnieShels]

Just a snap of training, which Ward, Whelan and McCarthy sat out: https://twitter.com/FM104/status/532131253034971136

I'm pretty sure seeing new posts in this thread between now and Friday will give me a coronary every single time!

Stutts is already slowly losing his mind.

[elroy]

The pessimist in me says McCarthy will not play. I hope I'm wrong. I would be concerned about starting him if he is not right.

As for Whelan, gotta admire the lads dedication. Playing for Ireland means do much to it as was evidenced when he scored against Italy. No superstar but a damn fine pro who hangs in there despite all the knockers, deserves more credit than he gets.

[Fixer82]

The pessimist in me says McCarthy will not play. I hope I'm wrong. I would be concerned about starting him if he is not right.

As for Whelan, gotta admire the lads dedication. Playing for Ireland means do much to it as was evidenced when he scored against Italy. No superstar but a damn fine pro who hangs in there despite all the knockers, deserves more credit than he gets.

Have to agree.
Trap, Pulis, Hughes, O'Neill can't all be wrong about the guy.
Thought he did well against Germany until he came off.

Also, I think he'd playing better football for us since Trap era.
Has more freedom to get forward and play a bit

[DannyInvincible]

Is he sitting out training to give him maximum rest and time for recuperation, or is it because there's an injury there preventing him from even training at the minute? If the game was tomorrow, would McCarthy be fit enough to play/contribute? I get the impression, probably not. The camp are remaining pretty tight-lipped about it all, or the media aren't being all that penetrative, which would be unusual for a change. It can only be a good thing that he's still there though. If the problem was anything other than minor, he'd surely be back at Everton.


You know fully well I had a problem with your belligerent attitude, childish use of expletives and insulting comments in several posts which I referred to several times. Ironic for someone accusing me of playing dumb.

You've misinterpreted me. I was clarifying that I never had a problem with impoliteness on your part in response to what I perceived to be a disingenuous suggestion that some impoliteness on your part might have irritated me in order to take the heat off what I do have a problem with; funnily enough, your habitual disingenuousness. When I accused you of a lack of respect for the forum and its members, I wasn't implying impoliteness as you've suggested it was the problem. And childish use of expletives? I think you might have taken some of my attempts at comic relief (winding you up in a good-natured way to try and embrace you as a board member, for want of a better description) over the past while as completely serious, which is regrettable. My present state of ongoing exasperation with you is as a result of a sense that you are truly beyond reasoning, even in your seeming attempts at self-moderation. I'm not convinced you're being completely genuine. Either that, or you just don't get it. Unfortunately, I've reached the end of my tether with you as a result.


And I qualified what I said about Roberto Martinez with "maybe I was being paranoid", in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent you from derailing the thread by making it your mission to nitpick and over-analyse every little thing I say, but you still did it anyway!

Derailing a James McCarthy thread by discussing James McCarthy (or suspect claims you've made about him and his club manager that don't stand up to scrutiny)? You make contentious and very much debatable claims (not everything you say is so, mind); I question those claims. That's the crux of it really. It seems you don't like a thorough questioning and wish to hide away under the victim-playing and accusations that I'm being too stringent with you. I wouldn't keep bugging you for answers if you didn't persistently ignore the valid counter-arguments offered to you in complete good faith. It's just bad form on your part and it's terribly infuriating when trying to have a reasonable discussion with you. It annoys me even when I see you do it with other respected board members. I mean, I went and dug up the Martinez quote from 2010 and you've simply pretended you haven't even seen it. Can't you see why that would **** someone off? If you want to debate contentious issues and make grand claims, be prepared to deal with the heat your assertions often warrant. It seems almost childish, but for now, I think I'm going to have to ignore you for the good of my own mental well being, because posting on a football forum really shouldn't be the source of this much annoyance. I want to actually try and enjoy Friday and the build-up talk. If our head-to-heads have been to others' nuisance also, I apologise. If you're ever ready to engage seriously, you know where I am... :good:

[The Fly]

You've misinterpreted me. I was clarifying that I never had a problem with impoliteness on your part in response to what I perceived to be a disingenuous suggestion that some impoliteness on your part might have irritated me in order to take the heat off what I do have a problem with

http://z5.ifrm.com/5902/57/0/e5001365//e5001365.gif

[DannyInvincible]

Sorry, that is a bit long-winded. TOWK suggested I had a problem with impoliteness on his part. That wasn't my issue and I thought that suggestion was just another disingenuous way of ignoring the actual issue. I've never had an issue with him being obnoxious or anything like that; when I talk of bad form, it's simply in reference to the sophistry and logical trickery in which he engages.

[Crosby87]

Some on here like Pumpkin Spice Latte.

[tetsujin1979]

In my head, I end each of TOWK's and Danny's sentences with "...Parklife!"

[DeLorean]

Looking apprehensive

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF332/934140.jpghttp://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF332/934143.jpg

Don't worry... I got this!

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF332/934182.jpg

[paul_oshea]

Thats a class one. Probably the russell brand coming back in, because he has a litany of well-worded and idempotent phrases which mirrors what the two lads on here do, particularly DI. :D

[Charlie Darwin]

In my head, I end each of TOWK's and Danny's sentences with "...Parklife!"
Ah for god's sake, now I'm not going to be able to read any of their posts without doing that.

[tetsujin1979]

Ah for god's sake, now I'm not going to be able to read any of their posts without doing that.
mu-hu-wa-ha-haa!

[Kingdom]

In my head, I end each of TOWK's and Danny's sentences with "...Parklife!"
is it because their arguments go round and round and round?

[Fixer82]

Looking apprehensive

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF332/934140.jpghttp://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF332/934143.jpg

Don't worry... I got this!

http://www.sportsfile.com/winshare/w540/Library/SF332/934182.jpg

That's a dodgy training jacket.
Very 90's.
Bring back Adidas I say.
Even O'Neill's.
I can only remember two or three really good jerseys Umbro have done for us in nearly 20 years

[BonnieShels]

If we brought back adidas then it would be the 90s.

[DeLorean]

Umbro have crap gear for sure, both in appearance and quality in my experience. I'd love it Adidas got the contract, always do class stuff.

[Kingdom]

I wouldn't be surprsied if Warrior/New Balance got the next contract.

[Stuttgart88]

Nah, Umbro and the FAI are joined at the hip.